Flow control apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a flow control apparatus and method. In accordance with the present invention, the flow control apparatus comprises a thermostat that automatically actuates valve to enable water to flow through the valve when the temperature of the air or water is at or near the freezing temperature of water (32° F.). When the temperature of the air or water rises above freezing, the thermostat causes the valve to close, thereby preventing water from flowing through the valve. Therefore, when the apparatus is coupled to an end of a water conduit, such as a water spigot or hose, water is allowed to flow through the conduit when the air or water temperature is at or near freezing to prevent the conduit from bursting due to water freezing and expanding within the conduit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application that claimspriority to U.S. patent application entitled, A Flow Control Apparatusand Method, having Ser. No. 09/672,845, filed Sep. 28, 2000, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,626,202, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flow control apparatus that allowsfluid to flow through a valve under a first set of conditions and whichprevents fluid from flowing through the valve under a second set ofconditions. The invention is particularly well suited for use withoutside water spigots and hoses to ensure that water flows when thetemperature of the water and/or the surrounding air is at or close tothe freezing temperature of water to prevent pipes and hoses frombursting as a result of water freezing and expanding therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During winter months when the air temperature drops below freezing (32°F.), water pipes and hoses may burst as a result of water within themfreezing and expanding. It is common to allow water to flow throughthese conduits in order to prevent the water from freezing. Anotheralternative is to purge the conduits of water prior to the temperaturedropping below freezing in order to ensure that they do not fracture inthe event that the temperature drops below freezing.

Various types of devices have been developed that automatically enablewater to flow through conduits when the air temperature drops below acertain temperature in order to prevent the conduits from bursting.However, these devices typically are relatively complicated and arecomprised of many moving parts. Consequently, the devices are morelikely to malfunction and thus require replacement or repair.

Accordingly, a need exists for a flow control apparatus that isreliable, less likely to malfunction than prior devices that perform thesame function and that is relatively simple in design and inexpensive tomanufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a flow control apparatus and method. Inaccordance with the present invention, the flow control apparatuscomprises a thermostat that automatically actuates valve to enable waterto flow through the valve when the temperature of the air or water is ator near the freezing temperature of water (32° F.). When the temperatureof the air and/or water rises above freezing, the thermostat causes thevalve to close, thereby preventing water from flowing through the valve.Therefore, when the apparatus is coupled to an end of a water conduit,such as a water spigot or hose, water is allowed to flow through theconduit when the air and/or water temperature is at or near freezing toprevent the conduit from bursting due to water freezing and expandingwithin the conduit.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention,the thermostat measures the temperature of the water flowing through theconduit and actuates the valve accordingly. In other words, when thetemperature of the water flowing through the conduit drops below aparticular temperature, the thermostat causes the valve to open, whereaswhen the temperature of the water flowing through the conduit risesabove a particular temperature, the thermostat causes the valve toclose. When the valve is open water is allowed to flow through theconduit, whereas when the valve is closed, water is not allowed to flowthrough the conduit.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention,the thermostat measures the temperature of the air surrounding a portionof the conduit and actuates the valve accordingly. In other words, whenthe temperature of the air drops below a particular temperature, thethermostat causes the valve to open, whereas when the temperature of theair rises above a particular temperature, the thermostat causes thevalve to close. When the valve is open water is allowed to flow throughthe conduit, whereas when the valve is closed, water is not allowed toflow through the conduit.

The apparatus of the present invention can be designed in several wayswith several different thermostat/valve and housing designs. Preferably,the thermostat is comprised of a bi-metal strip that flexes in adirection away from the valve when the temperature of water surroundingthe strip drops below a particular temperature. In accordance with thisembodiment, the strip abuts an opening in the housing of the apparatuswhen the temperature of the water is above a certain temperature, whichseals the opening and prevents water from flowing through it.Conversely, when the temperature of the water drops below a certaintemperature, the strip flexes away from the opening, thereby allowingwater to flow through the opening and out of the apparatus housing.

These and other features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of the flow control apparatus ofthe present invention in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the flow control apparatus ofthe present invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A illustrates the bi-metal strip positioning within the bi-metalcradle of the housing of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the valve comprised by theapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the apparatus of the presentinvention in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a side-cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the presentinvention in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the apparatus of thepresent invention in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7C is shows a top-view of a portion of FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 8 is a side-cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the presentinvention in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are exploded perspective views of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of the flow control apparatus ofthe present invention in accordance with the preferred embodiment. Theflow control apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B comprises an end 2having female threads 3 for connection to a hose bib of a water spigotor a male-threaded end of a water hose. The end 2 of the flow controlapparatus 1 has a hose washer (not shown) seated therein to facilitatecoupling the end 2 to a hose bib. When the apparatus 1 is coupled by theend 2 to a water spigot (not shown), the male-threaded end 4 of theapparatus 1 may be connected to the hose bib of a water hose (notshown).

The apparatus 1 preferably comprises a shut-off valve 5 that can beopened by turning lever 6 to enable water to flow through the apparatus1 and into a water hose coupled to the male threaded end 4. In the eventthat the apparatus 1 is coupled to a water spigot but not to a waterhose, the valve 5 can be turned off by turning the lever 6 to a closedposition to prevent water from flowing out of the end 4 of the apparatus1. In this case, the apparatus 1 functions as a cap for capping the endof a water spigot.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the housing 7 of the flow control apparatus 1 hasan opening 8 formed therein. A flow control valve (not shown) iscomprised in a flow control valve encasement 9 of the housing 7. Theflow control valve within the encasement 9 automatically opens to allowwater to flow through the opening 8 and out of the housing 7 under afirst set of conditions and automatically closes under a second set ofconditions to prevent water from flowing through the opening 8 and outof the housing 7. More particularly, when the temperature of waterflowing through the apparatus 1 reaches a temperature that is near or atthe freezing temperature of water, the flow control valve automaticallyopens thereby allowing water to flow out of the opening 8. When thetemperature of the water rises to some temperature above freezing, theflow control valve closes thereby preventing water from flowing throughthe opening 8. By allowing water to flow through the opening 8 and outof the housing 7, the flow control apparatus 1 prevents the water fromfreezing and thus protects the conduit to which the apparatus 1 isconnected from first.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the apparatus shown in FIGS.1A and 1B. The flow control apparatus 1 comprises a bi-metal strip 10that functions as a thermostat for controlling the flow water throughthe apparatus 1. The bi-metal strip 10 preferably is seated within acradle (not shown) of the encasement 9. The manner in which the bi-metalstrip 10 is attached within the encasement 9 is discussed below withreference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. The manner in which the bi-metal strip 10functions as a thermostat to automatically open or close the valveopening 8 will be discussed below with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4C.

The shut-off valve 5 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is comprised of the lever6, the ball 11, the O-ring 12, and the O-ring 13. The O-ring 13 is sizedto fit snuggly about the lower end 14 of the ball stem 15. The upper end16 of the ball stem 15 is octagonal in shape and is sized to mate withan octagonal-shaped portion formed within a section 17 of the lever 6.The O-ring 12 is attached to the outer surface of the ball 11 about anopening 18 formed through the ball 11. The opening 18 forms acylindrical passageway through the ball 11. When the shut-off valve isassembled and coupled with the housing 7 of the apparatus 1, the stem 15of the ball passes through the opening 21 formed in the housing 7 andthe portion 17 of the lever 6 is connected therewith. The O-ring 13forms a water-tight seal between the stem 15 and the inner surface ofthe portion 17 of the lever 6 to prevent water from passing through theopening 21 of the housing 7. Likewise, the O-ring 12 forms a watertightseal between the outer surface of the ball 11 and the inner surface ofthe housing 7 to prevent water from flowing out of the end 4 of theapparatus 1 when the shut-off valve is in the closed position.

When the shut-off valve is in the open position, the opening 18 formedthrough the ball 11 is concentric with the opening through the apparatus1 to allow water to flow through the apparatus 1 in a direction from thefemale threaded end 3 toward the male threaded end 4. Therefore, whenthe flow control apparatus 1 is to be coupled on end 3 to a water spigotand on end 4 to a water hose, the shut-off valve may be opened to enablewater to flow into the water hose. Alternatively, the shut-off valve maybe closed to prevent water from flowing through the water hose. When theapparatus 1 is to be used as a cap, the shut-off valve is closed toprevent water from flowing out of the end 4 of the apparatus 1. In thiscase, the end 3 is coupled to the water spigot, but the end 4 is notcoupled to a water hose. The apparatus 1 may also function as a cap onthe end of the water hose opposite the end of the water hose that iscoupled to the end 4 of the flow control apparatus 1. In this case, theshut-off valve may be closed to prevent water from flowing out of theend 4 of the apparatus 1. When used in this manner, the water spigotvalve (not shown) would be opened so that the water hose and theapparatus 1 are filled with water the enable proper functioning of theflow control valve of the apparatus 1.

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of the encasement 9 shown in FIG. 2and the bi-metal strip 10, which is shown being seated within a cradle25 formed in the encasement 9. When assembled, the bi-metal strip 10 isseated within and is secured in place by the cradle 25 at each end ofthe encasement 9. FIG. 3B shows an expanded view of the portion 27 ofthe drawing shown in FIG. 3A. The expanded portion 31 shows one end ofthe encasement and of the bi-metal strip and illustrates the manner inwhich the bi-metal strip is seated within the cradle formed on each endof the encasement 9. The bi-metal strip 10 is held by the cradle 25 oneach end of the encasement by partial spherical protrusions (not shown)formed on the housing 7 of the flow control apparatus 1. The protrusionscan better be seen with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view of the flow control apparatus 1of the present invention, which illustrates the manner in which thebi-metal strip 10 is held in the cradle by the housing 7 of the flowcontrol apparatus 1. FIG. 4A also demonstrates the manner in which theshut-off valve 5 is coupled with the housing 7 of the flow controlapparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 4A, the bi-metal strip 10 is held in oneach end of the cradle 25 by partial spherical protrusions 33 and 34formed on the portion of the housing 7 that couples with the encasement9. FIG. 4B is an expanded view of the portion 35 of the drawing shown inFIG. 4A. The manner in which the partial spherical protrusion 34 pressesagainst the bi-metal strip 10 to hold it in place within the cradle 25can be clearly seen. FIG. 4A also shows the opening 8 formed in theencasement 9 of the flow control valve 1.

FIG. 4C is an expanded view of the portion 36 of the encasement 9 havingthe opening 8 formed therein. The portion of the flow control apparatus1 shown in FIG. 4C corresponds to the flow control valve 40 of the flowcontrol apparatus 1. With reference again to FIG. 4A, when the flowcontrol apparatus is connected at end 2 to a water spigot or water hose,and the water spigot is turned on, water flows into a cavity 41 formedwithin the housing 7 of the apparatus. An opening 43 formed in thehousing 7 allows water to flow from the cavity 41 into the encasement 9such that the encasement 9 is generally filled with water and the flowcontrol valve 40 is surrounded by water.

When the flow control valve 40 is in the position shown in FIG. 4C,i.e., when the bi-metal strip 10 is flush against the opening 8, wateris prevented from flowing out of the opening 8. Thus, when the shut-offvalve 5 is closed and the flow control valve 40 is closed, water is heldwithin the cavity 41 and within the encasement 9 and is prevented fromflowing out of the flow control apparatus 1. Preferably, a small, rubberseal (not shown) is fixed to the bi-metal strip 10 at the location onthe bi-metal strip 10 that is above the opening 8 when the valve isclosed. The rubber seal prevents water from passing through the opening8 when the valve is closed.

The flow control valve 40 preferably is in the closed position when thetemperature is above 37° F. When the temperature of the water containedwithin the cavity 41 drops below 37° F., the bi-metal strip flexes in adirection away from the opening 8, thereby allowing water containedwithin the encasement to flow through the opening 8 and out of the flowcontrol apparatus 1. The flow control valve 40 will remain in this opencondition until the temperature rises above 37° F. At that time, thebi-metal strip 10 will return to the closed position where it abuts theopening 8.

It should be noted that the temperature at which the flow control valve40 opens and closes is dependent upon the temperature characteristics ofthe bi-metal strip 10. As will be understood by those skilled in theart, a bi-metal strip can be manufactured in virtually an infinitenumber of ways to achieve the desired temperature characteristics. Inother words, the bi-metal strip 10 can be manufactured to flex away fromthe opening 8 and to return to its home position where it abuts theopening 8 at many different temperatures. Therefore, those skilled inthe art will understand that the temperature or range of temperatures atwhich the flow control valve 40 opens and closes is not limited to anyparticular temperature or range of temperatures.

The bi-metal strip 10 preferably is manufactured so that when secured inplace it will cause the flow control valve 40 to open and close at suchtemperatures that water is allowed to flow out of the flow controlapparatus 1 at a temperature or range of temperatures that prevent waterfrom freezing within the cavity 41 or within the conduit to which theflow control apparatus 1 is secured, while also conserving water. Forexample, if the flow control valve 40 were to open at a temperature of45° F., a significant amount of water would be allowed to flow out ofthe flow control apparatus 1 before the temperature of the water withinthe cavity 41 ever reaches the freezing temperature of water, assumingthe temperature of the water eventually reaches 32° F.

In contrast, if the flow control valve 40 did not open until thetemperature of the water within the cavity 41 reached 34° F., the waterwould be freezing, but water would also be conserved to the extentpossible. It should also be noted that the flow control apparatus 1 hasbeen designed in such a way that, when properly assembled, only thenecessary amount of water to prevent it from freezing is allowed to flowout of the apparatus 1 through the opening 8. This feature of the flowcontrol apparatus 1 also allows water to be conserved to the extentpossible while preventing the water from freezing. However, thoseskilled in the art will understand that the dimensions shown in thedesign of the flow control apparatus 1 can be buried without deviatingfrom the scope of the present invention.

Referring again to FIG. 4A, the O-rings 12 and 13 provide watertightseals that prevent water from flowing out of the shut-off valve 5 at alltimes and to prevent water from flowing out of the end 4 of the flowcontrol apparatus 1 when the shut-off valve is closed. The opening 18formed through the ball 11 of the flow control valve 5 is large enoughto allow water to flow into a garden house connected to the end 4 of theapparatus 1 with appropriate pressure. As stated above, the flow controlapparatus 1 may simply function as a cap when the shut-off valve 5 isclosed. In some cases, water spigots on the outside of buildings areonly used for performing certain tests, such as testing the pressure ofwater flowing through the conduit connected to the water spigot. Inthese cases it is desirable to cap the water spigot, since there is noneed to connect it to a water hose. In this case, the shut-off valve 5is simply kept in the closed position.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate modified embodiments of the flow controlapparatus 1 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1A-4C. The flowcontrol apparatus 50 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is designed to simplyfunction as a cap to be placed on the end of a water spigot. The designof the flow control apparatus 50 is substantially identical to that ofthe flow control apparatus 1 discussed above except that the end 51 iscapped rather than threaded with male threads to mate with the femalethreaded end of a water hose and the shut-off valve 5 has beeneliminated. Therefore, the flow control apparatus 50 is specificallydesigned for situations where it is intended to be used simply to capthe end of the water spigot or water hose.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the flow controlapparatus shown in FIGS. 1A-4C. Once again, one end of the apparatus 60is configured to mate with a water spigot and the other end isconfigured to mate with a water hose. The flow control apparatus 60shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may also contain a shut-off valve to enable theapparatus 60 to function to supply water to a water hose or simply as acap. The design shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is similar to the design shownin FIG. 1 in that a bi-metal strip 62 functions as the thermostat of theapparatus 60 to open and close an opening 63 formed in an encasement 64coupled to the housing 65. Also, the bi-metal strip 62 functionssomewhat differently from the bi-metal strip 10 in that the bi-metalstrip 62 is only secured on one end 66 thereof by a fastener 67.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-4C, the bi-metal strip 62 is designedsuch that it flexes away from the opening 63 when the temperature of thewater within the apparatus 60 reaches a particular temperature and movesback toward and abuts the opening 63 when the temperature of the waterreaches another temperature. Water surrounds the bi-metal strip 62because the opening 68 formed in the encasement 64, which receives waterfrom the cavity 69 formed in the apparatus 60, is wider than thebi-metal strip 62 and extends above the bi-metal strip 62, as shown inFIG. 6A.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the flow controlapparatus of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment,a bi-metal disk 71 in combination with an opening 72 formed in theapparatus 70 function as the flow control valve. The embodiment shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B is capable of being assembled with off-the-shelf parts.The key structure 74 formed by the longitudinal ends 75A and 75B and byvertical end 76 is currently available on the market in suitabledimensions for use with the present invention. Likewise, the cap 77 withsuitable dimensions to mate with the vertical end 76 is also availableon the market in suitable dimensions. Of course, the components of theapparatus 70 can be manufactured to meet the specific objectives of thepresent invention. Suitable bi-metal disks are also available on themarket or can be specifically manufactured to meet the objectives of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7C shows a top view of the bi-metal disk 71 of the presentinvention. As with the embodiments discussed above, one end 75A hasfemale threads for mating with the male threads of a water spigot and anend 75B for mating with the female threads of an end of a water hose.Although the cap 77 is shown having female threads that mate with malethreads of the vertical end 76 of the housing 74, this is merely for thepurpose of enabling off-the-shelf components to be used to produce theapparatus 70. The cap 77 also could be fixedly secured by some otherconfiguration or technique to the housing 74 or could be integrallyformed therewith. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cap 77is utilized to secure the periphery of the bi-metal strip 71 in place.Of course, a separate mechanism could be used for securing the bi-metalstrip 71 in place.

FIG. 7A illustrates the flow control apparatus 70 when the flow controlvalve is closed, i.e., when the bi-metal strip 71 is flush against theopening 72, thereby preventing water within the cavity 79 from flowingthrough the opening 72 out of the apparatus 70. FIG. 7B illustrates theflow control valve in the open position wherein the bi-metal strip 71has flexed away from the opening 72 to allow water to flow throughopenings 81 and 82 formed in the bi-metal strip 71 and through opening72 formed in the cap 77 out of the apparatus 70. When the flow controlvalve is in the closed position, the openings 81 and 82 formed in thebi-metal disk abut the inner surface of the cap 77 so that water isprevented from flowing through those openings.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present inventionwherein the flow control valve is a rotating valve actuated by a helixcoil, which is a bi-metal helix coil. FIG. 9 illustrates a perspectiveview of the rotating valve 92, which has an opening 94 formedtherethrough and a slot 95 formed in an end thereof. As with theembodiments discussed above, the flow control apparatus 91 comprises anend 96A that is configured with female threads for mating with the malethreads of a water spigot and an end 96B that is configured with malethreads for mating with the female threads of an end of a water hose.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the flow control valve is triggeredby the air temperature, rather than by the temperature of water passingthrough the apparatus 91. The bi-metal strip 93 has an end 96 that islocated within the slot 95 of the rotating valve 92. When the airtemperature reaches a particular temperature, the bi-metal strip 93begins to expand, which causes it to rotate. The rotation of thebi-metal helix coil 93 causes the valve 92 to rotate to an open positionat which the opening 94 formed through the valve 92 aligns with openingsformed in the housing of the apparatus 91 adjacent the valve 92, therebyallowing water to flow out of the cavity 97 through the opening 94 inthe valve 92 and out of the apparatus 91.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the faucet fittinghas a swiveling connector to the body of flow control apparatus. FIG. 11illustrates a perspective view of FIG. 10. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 10, the faucet fitting 101 is a swiveling connector with femalethreads 102 for mating with the male threads of a water spigot and aretainer 103 to prevent water leakage. Retainer is fixed to interior ofbody to rotatably retain the faucet fitting. Specifically, retainerincludes a flange that forms an interference fit with an interiorsurface of the faucet fitting.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of FIG. 10 wherein the flowcontrol body 7 can be rotated using the swiveling connector of thefaucet fitting 101 such that the opening 8 can be located in anydirection. The component parts of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 with threeexceptions have been described in detail in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and willnot t be described again here. The exceptions include an O-ring 100 inthe male threaded end 4 of the apparatus, a bi-metal strip seal 99, anda screw 98. The O-ring 100 provides a watertight seal that preventswater from flowing out of the shut-off valve 5 at all times and toprevent water from flowing out of the end 4 of the flow controlapparatus 1 when the shut-off valve is closed. The bi-metal strip seal99 prevents water leakage between the bi-metal strip 10 and the opening8. The screw 99 secures the lever 6 onto the upper end 16 of the ballstem 15.

As illustrated by the various embodiments of the present inventiondiscussed above, it can be seen that the flow control apparatus of thepresent invention can be designed in many different ways to meet theobjectives of the present invention. The embodiments discussed above arethe preferred and exemplary embodiments, but are not intended torepresent all of the possible designs of the flow control apparatus ofthe present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand thatmodifications can be made to the embodiments discussed above withoutdeviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, thebi-metal elements that are utilized as thermostats could possibly bereplaced by other types of thermostats that would perform the necessaryfunctions. Those skilled in the art will understand that other types ofmodifications may also be made and that all such modifications arewithin the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flow control apparatus for controlling a flowof water, the apparatus comprising: a first end and a second end, thefirst end being configured to be attached to a water conduit; a flowcontrol valve, the flow control valve comprising a thermostat and anopening formed in the flow control apparatus, the thermostat preventingwater from flowing through said opening and out of the flow controlapparatus when a first condition occurs and allowing water to flowthrough said opening and out of the flow control apparatus when a secondcondition occurs; and a valve having a valve opening formedtherethrough, and wherein the bi-metal element actuates said valve,wherein when said first condition occurs, the valve is in a closedposition, thereby preventing water from flowing through said valveopening, and wherein when said second condition occurs, the bi-metalelement moves the valve to a second position, thereby allowing waterwithin said flow control apparatus to flow out of said valve opening;wherein the first condition corresponds to air temperature rising abovea particular temperature and wherein said second condition correspondsto air temperature dropping below a particular temperature; wherein thethermostat comprises a bi-metal element; wherein the bi-metal elementabuts said opening when said first condition occurs, thereby preventingwater from flowing through said opening and out of said flow controlapparatus and wherein said bi-metal element moves away from said openingwhen said second condition occurs, thereby allowing water to flowthrough said opening and out of said apparatus; and wherein said valveis a rotating valve and wherein said bi-metal element is a bi-metalhelix coil, an end of the bi-metal helix coil being secured to an end ofthe rotating valve such that when the air temperature drops below aparticular temperature, the bi-metal helix coil expands and rotatesthereby causing the rotating valve to rotate to a position where saidvalve opening aligns with said opening to allow water within said flowcontrol apparatus to flow through said valve opening and said openingand out of said flow control apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first end is comprised of a swiveling connector, theconnector allowing the opening to be rotated among various positions. 3.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the swiveling connector is configuredto allow the opening to be rotated about an axis of rotation.
 4. A flowcontrol apparatus for controlling a flow of water, the apparatuscomprising: a first end and a second end, the first end being configuredto be attached to a water conduit; and a flow control valve, the flowcontrol valve comprising a thermostat and an opening formed in the flowcontrol apparatus, the thermostat preventing water from flowing throughsaid opening and out of the flow control apparatus when a firstcondition occurs and allowing water to flow through said opening and outof the flow control apparatus when a second condition occurs; whereinthe thermostat comprises a bi-metal element; wherein the bi-metalelement abuts said opening when said first condition occurs, therebypreventing water from flowing through said opening and out of said flowcontrol apparatus and wherein said bi-metal element moves away from saidopening when said second condition occurs, thereby allowing water toflow through said opening and out of said apparatus; and wherein thefirst end is comprised of a swiveling connector, the connector allowingthe opening to be rotated among various positions.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the first condition corresponds to water flowingthrough said flow control apparatus rising above a particulartemperature, and wherein said second condition corresponds to waterflowing through said flow control apparatus dropping below a particulartemperature.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the thermostat is abi-metal disk, wherein when the first condition occurs the bi-metal diskabuts said opening, and wherein when the second condition occurs thebi-metal disk flexes away from said opening, the bi-metal disk having atleast one aperture formed therein, and wherein when the bi-metal diskflexes away from said opening, water flows through said aperture andthrough said opening and out of the apparatus.
 7. The apparatus of claim6, wherein the first condition corresponds to water within said flowcontrol apparatus reaching a particular temperature, and wherein thesecond condition corresponds to water within said flow control apparatusdropping below a particular temperature.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4,further comprising: a valve having a valve opening formed therethrough,and wherein the bi-metal element that actuates said valve, wherein whensaid first condition occurs, the valve is in a closed position, therebypreventing water from flowing through said valve opening, and whereinwhen said second condition occurs, the bi-metal element moves the valveto a second position, thereby allowing water within said flow controlapparatus to flow out of said valve opening.
 9. The flow controlapparatus of claim 4, wherein the first condition corresponds to airtemperature rising above a particular temperature and wherein saidsecond condition corresponds to air temperature dropping below aparticular temperature.
 10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein thethermostat is a bi-metal strip, wherein when the first condition occursthe bi-metal strip abuts said opening, and wherein when the secondcondition occurs the bi-metal strip flexes away from said opening, thebi-metal strip having at least one aperture formed therein, and whereinwhen the bi-metal strip flexes away from said opening, water flowsthrough said aperture and through said opening and out of the apparatus.11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first condition correspondsto water within said flow control apparatus reaching a particulartemperature, and wherein the second condition corresponds to waterwithin said flow control apparatus dropping below a particulartemperature.
 12. A flow control apparatus for controlling a flow ofwater, the apparatus comprising: a first end and a second end, the firstend being configured to be attached to a water conduit; a flow controlvalve, the flow control valve comprising a thermostat and an openingformed in the flow control apparatus, the thermostat preventing waterfrom flowing through said opening and out of the flow control apparatuswhen a first condition occurs and allowing water to flow through saidopening and out of the flow control apparatus when a second conditionoccurs; a shut-off valve that can be placed in an open or closedposition, wherein when the shut-off valve is in the open position, waterflowing into the first end of the flow control apparatus is allowed toflow through the flow control apparatus and out of the second end of theflow control apparatus, wherein when the shut-off valve is in the closedposition, water flowing into the first end of the flow control apparatusis prevented from flowing out of the second end of the flow controlapparatus; wherein the first end is comprised of a swiveling connector,the connector allowing the opening to be positioned in any direction.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the thermostat comprises abi-metal element.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bi-metalelement abuts said opening when said first condition occurs, therebypreventing water from flowing through said opening and out of said flowcontrol apparatus and wherein said bi-metal element moves away from saidopening when said second condition occurs, thereby allowing water toflow through said opening and out of said apparatus.
 15. The apparatusof claim 14, wherein the thermostat is a bi-metal disk having at leastone opening therein, wherein when the first condition occurs thebi-metal disk abuts said opening, and wherein when the second conditionoccurs the bi-metal strip disk flexes away from said opening, thebi-metal disk having at least one aperture formed therein, and whereinwhen the bi-metal disk flexes away from said opening, water flowsthrough said aperture and through said opening and out of the apparatus.16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the thermostat is a bi-metalstrip, wherein when the first condition occurs the bi-metal strip abutssaid opening, and wherein when the second condition occurs the bi-metalstrip flexes away from said opening, the bi-metal strip having at leastone aperture formed therein, and wherein when the bi-metal strip flexesaway from said opening, water flows through said aperture and throughsaid opening and out of the apparatus.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the first condition corresponds to water within said flowcontrol apparatus reaching a particular temperature, and wherein thesecond condition corresponds to water within said flow control apparatusdropping below a particular temperature.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12,further comprising: a valve having a valve opening formed therethrough,and wherein the thermostat is comprised of a bi-metal element thatactuates said valve, wherein when said first condition occurs, the valveis in a closed position, thereby preventing water from flowing throughsaid opening, and wherein when said second condition occurs, thebi-metal element moves the valve to a second position, thereby allowingwater within said flow control apparatus to flow out of said opening.19. The flow control apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first conditioncorresponds to air temperature rising above a particular temperature andwherein said second condition corresponds to air temperature droppingbelow a particular temperature.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, whereinsaid valve is a rotating valve and wherein said bi-metal element is abi-metal helix coil, an end of the bi-metal helix coil being secured toan end of the rotating valve such that when the air temperature dropsbelow a particular temperature, the bi-metal helix coil expands androtates thereby causing the rotating valve to rotate to a position wheresaid valve opening aligns with said opening to allow water within saidflow control apparatus to flow through said valve opening and saidopening and out of said flow control apparatus.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the swiveling connector is configured to allow theopening to be positioned in any direction about an axis of rotation.